more on Tax breaks for SUV's

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

Begin forwarded message:

From: Joe Touch <touch () ISI EDU>
Date: February 20, 2006 12:34:48 PM EST
To: alberti () sanction net
Cc: dave () farber net
Subject: Re: [IP] Tax breaks for SUV's

The loophole that non-commercial vehicles are being purchased using
commercial tax credits is what's cute.

But they want to eat their cake and have it - they want tax breaks based
on weight, but I suspect many would be disgruntled if they got
enforcement on weight limits.

The larger question about the alternate-fuel credit:

        How much fuel - oil in particular - is used in creating
        and or/recycling hybrid car batteries?

You're absolutely right about gas guzzlers - driving a reasonably
efficient sedan (mine is large, 8 cylinders, and gets 30mpg highway) is
as efficient as driving a large hybrid SUV on the highway, and pollutes
less (in terms of battery waste).

FYI: many large-hybrid owners in CA were very disappointed about not
being able to drive solo in the carpool lane. They thought "hybrid"
meant environmentally-friendly, so they would get a permission sticker
(required). Turns out they need to get 45mpg (EPA rated) to qualify; of
hybrids listed at Edmunds.com, only the Prius, Civic, and Insight
qualify. None of the SUVs, and not even the midsize Accord are efficient
enough.

Hybrids do not get better mileage at sustained highway speeds; if you
want to take advantage of their impact on the environment, you'd put
them in with the stop-and-go non-HOV lanes ;-)

Joe

Robert Alberti wrote:
> I don't think the point was that the tax break is a cute trick: I  
> think
> the point was to illustrate that the government pays lip service to
> alternative-fueled vehicles ($3,150 credit) but actually continues to
> encourage gas-guzzlers ($25,000 deduction).
>
> On Sun, 2006-02-19 at 08:52 -0500, Dave Farber wrote:
> > -------- Original Message --------
> > Subject: Re: [IP] Tax breaks for SUV's
> > Date: Sat, 18 Feb 2006 23:34:12 -0800
> > From: Joe Touch <touch () ISI EDU>
> > To: dave () farber net
> > References: <43F7D17F.3010203 () farber net>
> >
> > Dave,
> >
> > The deduction for work vehicles is a cute trick but known for a  
> > long time.
> >
> > What would happen to these owners of commercial-weight vehicles if  
> > they
> > couldn't use them in their own residential areas?
> >
> > http://www.ci.manhattan-beach.ca.us/municode/Title_14/48/020.html
> >
> > Joe
> >
> > Dave Farber wrote:
> > > -------- Original Message --------
> > > Subject: Tax breaks for SUV's
> > > Date: Sat, 18 Feb 2006 20:49:29 -0500 (EST)
> > > From: EEkid () aol com
> > > To: dave () farber net
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > "Federal tax rules that took effect last month allow a credit of  
> > > up to
> > > $3,150
> > >  for anyone buying a hybrid car. The credit is the same  
> > > regardless of tax
> > > bracket.
> > > However, owners of small businesses who buy a Hummer, Ford  
> > > Excursion or
> > > other
> > >  SUV weighing more than 3 tons get a deduction of up to $25,000 —  
> > > depending
> > > on  tax bracket — if they use the vehicle exclusively for work.
> > > The benefits don't stop there. Once they subtract the $25,000  
> > > from the
> > > cost
> > > of their 3-ton SUV, small business owners can deduct the  
> > > depreciation on
> > > the
> > > remaining amount. Someone who bought a $60,000 SUV, for example, can
> > > claim the
> > >  remaining $35,000 over six years."
> > > _http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060218/ap_on_bi_ge/ 
> > > suvs_tax_breaks;_ylt=Ai9OXKlD
> > > wlVWUrnoqpmDDZIDW7oF;_ylu=X3oDMTBiMW04NW9mBHNlYwMlJVRPUCUl_
> > > (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060218/ap_on_bi_ge/ 
> > > suvs_tax_breaks;_ylt=Ai9OXKlDwlVWUrnoqpmDDZIDW7
> > > oF;_ylu=X3oDMTBiMW04NW9mBHNlYwMlJVRPUCUl)
> > >
> > >
> > > -------------------------------------
> > > You are subscribed as touch () isi edu
> > > To manage your subscription, go to
> > >   http://v2.listbox.com/member/?listname=ip
> > >
> > > Archives at: http://www.interesting-people.org/archives/ 
> > > interesting-people/
> >
> > -------------------------------------
> > You are subscribed as ip () sanction net
> > To manage your subscription, go to
> >   http://v2.listbox.com/member/?listname=ip
> >
> > Archives at: http://www.interesting-people.org/archives/ 
> > interesting-people/



-------------------------------------
You are subscribed as lists-ip () insecure org
To manage your subscription, go to
 http://v2.listbox.com/member/?listname=ip

Archives at: http://www.interesting-people.org/archives/interesting-people/